Chapter 11 – The Task

I walked quickly toward the front of the inn and into the path after saying that. The path that led toward that one temple – not the one we just came from earlier.
I finally stopped near the edge of the bridge that led toward the temple. Great place for a chat, huh? I stood facing the water, waiting for him to catch up to me. If it was CJ, he would be side-by-side with me already, not tagging behind by a mile. It was funny how I noticed these things right now. Or maybe CJ and I had been on the same side for so long these past months that I couldn’t help but compare everyone around me to him.
“Shao Han,” He said, announcing his arrival. “I’ve been thinking these past few days.”Good for him, I thought.
“Maybe after this little ‘cool off’ time, it made me realized something,” He continued.
What “cool off” time? We broke up. I continued to look toward the water ahead, not giving him even a glance over although I was curious about what he meant by “cool off.”
“Can we not break up?” He asked.
I swore he almost sounded like he was begging. I finally turned to look at him.
“So you think this is a game?” I asked sternly.
“No, that’s not what I mean,” Ting Wei clarified. “I know things have been hectic before with how you just started at your new job and…”
“It’s not just that,” I cut him off. “We had misunderstandings in the past. Maybe we’ve been too blind to ignore the fact that it’s never going to work out between us. Maybe this is for the better.”
I turned to leave after that.
“Shao Han,” He said, pulling at my left arm.
I yanked it away from him and continued walking. What part of “broke up” didn’t he get? The “broke up” part?
“If you want to break up just because you’re mad over the little matter that I’m siding with Jing Jing, then I think it’s childish.”
Okay, so he wanted to play the “jealous, insecure girlfriend” game? I turned around to face him again.
“We’ve known each other this long and you’re accusing me of…”
“Shao Han, let’s forget it, okay?”
“No. You’re the one that’s not clear.”
I stopped to make sure he was looking at me before continuing. “Because I want us to remain as friends, that’s why I want to stop this before our situation get any worse, okay? If you’re unwilling, then…”
“Shao Han…”
“I thought you’re the one who said we should all rest for tomorrow.”
Yes, lame excuse, but he didn’t want to get it. What else could I say to get rid of him?
I walked back into town, not wanting to argue with him any longer.